Report Cards Report cards are issued in October, December, February, April and June. Interim reports, as deemed necessary by the teacher, are issued mid report card period. Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening Our kindergarten through third grade students are administered the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) in the fall to determine their instructional reading needs and reading groups. PALS is administered in January to assess student growth and plan instruction. It is administered in May to assess student growth for the year. STAR Test The STAR reading test is administered to first through eighth grade students during the first 6 weeks of school to determine their independent reading level in order to effectively utilize the Accelerated Reading Program. STAR is re-administered as needed throughout the year as the student demonstrates reading skill growth.

The Iowa Test of Basic Skills
The Iowa Test of Basic Skills is administered to first through eighth grade students in the spring. This nationally standardized achievement test is used to evaluate the student’s academic growth for the year and to project learning goals for the next year. It also provides curricular information and instructional needs for staff and program improvement.

The Cognitive Abilities Test
The Cognitive Abilities Test, designed by the University of Iowa, is administered to second, fourth and sixth grade students in the spring. It is an ability based test, in which verbal, quantitative and non-verbal skills are evaluated. These scores are very helpful in comparing a student’s abilities and learning style preference with their academic achievement.

The Iowa Writing Assessment
The Iowa Writing Assessment, a supplement to the Iowa Test of Basic Skills is administered to our third through eighth grade students in the spring. This timed, first draft writing sample, is designed to evaluate the student’s abilities to generate, organize and express ideas in a variety of written forms. It serves as an evaluation of our writing curriculum, and as such, generates ideas for improvement and growth.